(CHICAGO)(February 3, 2007) On January 15th I explained how and why the proposed "surge" in Iraq was actually linked to secret plans for a coup that would place a Shiite strongman in power in Baghdad.

On February 2nd, the U. S. Government confirmed our story by issuing a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) showing that the imposition of a Shiite strongman was the only palatable option available to the Bush administration if all else fails in Iraq.

Inside the Bush White House: Part One, provided extensive detail as to the planning behind the potential coup, the reasons behind the coup, and the mechanics of how a coup would be implemented.

The NIE confirmed all of the material elements of our column.

How do we do it? Why does the CIA read ContrarianCommentary.com to know what's happening in Washington?

We call ourselves the most respected independent voice for military, intelligence and foreign policy analysis. We had the "surge" story in September.

Other than eating up the Sulzburger Family's expense account allowance gallivanting around the world, when was the last time Tom Friedman broke exclusive advance news of internal planning in the White House? Not recently.

If you want to know what is happening inside the White House, the intelligence community and inside Iraq, read ContrarianCommentary.com.

Take our January 15th story on planning for the Shiite strongman coup, and place it next to the NIE issued yesterday. They match up. Surprising, isn't it.

Look for Inside the Bush White House: Part Four, long-delayed, with more exclusive information on secret plans and internal pressures fueling "le surge."